December! What are you reading?

[Rowan]

I just finished Black Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin. I liked it!

Not sure what's next on my pile.

[mellenhead]

I started Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs, the last book in the trilogy. It's pretty good so far. Took me a little bit to get into it since it's been awhile since the last book.

[Sílvia]

I decided against The Good Girl because I thought 2 psychological thrillers about women with amnesia in a row was too much. Maybe some other time.

Then I started Us by David Nicholls. I saw Mellen gave it 2 stars, so I have high hopes (I saw it after I'd started. Didn't buy it *because* Mellen didn't like it.)

[mellenhead]

Then I started Us by David Nicholls. I saw Mellen gave it 2 stars, so I have high hopes (I saw it after I'd started. Didn't buy it *because* Mellen didn't like it.)

[Rowan]

I liked Us but it was too loooooong.

Not sure how we fit together with liking books Syl. Although mellen and I are pretty spot on it seems although I no likely historical fiction. Wish I did.

[Bugsy]

Yesterday I returned "Full Catastrophe Living" by Jon Kabat-Zinn to the library. I didn't finish it--got about 2/3 through--but didn't really feel a need to. It had decent content but was getting incredibly repetitive and wasn't a whole of of new information for me. Dan Harris's "10% Happier" was a way better meditation info book, IMO.

My book club meets on Saturday night, so I'm waiting to start something new until then. I am excited, though, that I'm 3rd in line for "A Brief History of Seven Killings" by Marlon James. From what Blush said about it and what I've read, I have high expectations of that one but am a little nervous about its intensity.

[Sílvia]

I liked Us but it was too loooooong.

Not sure how we fit together with liking books Syl. Although mellen and I are pretty spot on it seems although I no likely historical fiction. Wish I did.

I love historical fiction. And I'd know more about your tastes if you came to play with us on goodreads!

[mellenhead]

I finished Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs. Last book in the trilogy. It was really good and I loved the ending.

I started Winter by Marissa Meyer last night, which is the last book in The Lunar Chronicles.

[Spudd]

I just finished Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith. It was really compelling once I got into it but it was slow going at first.

Not sure what I'll read next.

[Sílvia]

Finished and loved Us by David Nicholls. I enjoyed almost every single page. Several laugh out loud moments for me. 4 stars only because I wasn't crazy about the character of the wife.

Started When the Moon is Low about a family that escapes Kabul after the Taliban takes over. Rave reviews and I have a strong feeling I'll agree with the hype this time.

[Bugsy]

I'm listening to the audiobook of "Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande. Loving it--I find myself nodding along in agreement quite a lot--but wishing it was narrated by the author. The reader is fine, but it's always nice when the author does it.

[Bugsy]

"Being Mortal" was excellent. I really recommend this one highly.

Two library holds came in this week: a graphic novel by Neil Gaiman ("The Sandman") and "Nature Anatomy" by Julia Rothman. The former is huge, literally like a textbook. It's going to be an interesting experience reading that one! The latter is mostly just for fun, but hopefully I learn some things too. I own her book "Farm Anatomy," and it was so fun to peruse.

[Spudd]

Last week I started "8 Minute Meditation", I forget who it's by. It's an 8-week program to teach you to meditate, you do it for 8 minutes a day. So far it's going okay, I guess. I don't feel like it's working super well but the book says that's normal and not to worry about it.

I'm also reading "The Book of Speculation" by Erika Swyler which is pretty good so far.

[mellenhead]

Finished Winter by Marissa Meyer - it was the last book in the series. The beginning dragged a tab but overall it was really good and tied everything together nicely. I think nearly 800 pages was a bit much though.

[Bugsy]

Last week I started "8 Minute Meditation", I forget who it's by. It's an 8-week program to teach you to meditate, you do it for 8 minutes a day. So far it's going okay, I guess. I don't feel like it's working super well but the book says that's normal and not to worry about it.

Yep, the part that matters is that you're doing it. Don't strive for a particular result; just put in the time. What happens happens.

I hadn't heard of this book. Adding it to the list!

[Sílvia]

Finished When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi. I liked it. Didn't love it. You guys know I hate flowery language and descriptions, but in this case the language was maybe TOO simple even for my taste. It was very straightforward, I'll give it that. You'd miss something important if you skipped 2 paragraphs. Well, at least after the first 90 pages or so, which were background info on the mother. The rest of it is the family trying to flee Afghanistan (sp?) and get to England, where they have family. It's obviously very compelling, especially with today's Syrian refugees on our minds. I don't think I'd rooted so fervently for a character in a long time. The ending apparently pissed some people off on goodreads. Not me because I'd read those reviews and was expecting to be pissed, so I wasn't.

I have The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb, but I'm not sure I'll start it right away. I loved the other 2 of his books I've read, but his stories are depressing as hell (this one starts with Columbine) and I definitely need something lighter now.

Anyone read Love Virtually by Daniel Glattauer? A friend recommended it, it's short and seems to fit the criteria. I just don't know if I should buy the English or the Portuguese translation. The original's German, and many times the translation into Portuguese from another language is made FROM the English translation. And of course, in that case, I'd rather read the English translation.

[Sílvia]

I read Love Virtually. It was cute and better than I expected. However, it did NOT have an ending, which I frustratingly found out this morning after spending 2 hours to finish it. Have already downloaded the sequel's sample. It's called Every Seventh Wave.

[Bugsy]

I perused "Nature Anatomy," which had lovely artwork. Listening to the audio book of "A Tale for the Time Being," by Ruth Ozeki. It's intriguing for sure. I've barely even opened "The Absolute Sandman" but may spend some time with that tonight.

[Sílvia]

Finished Every Seventh Wave. Bleargh. Typical case of unnecessary sequel. He should have wrapped things up in the first one.

Then I started The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain. It kept being recommended to me by amazon, and I was skeptical. I thought this author would be a cheesy Nicholas Sparks-y type. You know the type, a book a year in the NYT bestselling list. I was wrong. So far (I'm 55% done), it's a gripping family drama/mystery that's kept me up later than usual for 2 nights. Nothing that will touch your soul or change your life, but very entertaining. I'll take it! I'll probably get another one of her books for our super long flights next week.

[mellenhead]

I read/skimmed Cabin Porn by Zachary Klein. It was mainly lots of pictures of gorgeous cabins in remote locations and blurbs about how they were renovated or built.

Now I'm reading Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It's excellent.